Russell: How Craig helped me choose Rams

NEW signing Johnny Russell says he was soon sold on Derby County – with a little help from fellow Scot Craig Bryson.

Russell joined the Rams yesterday from Dundee United for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £700,000, after interrupting his holiday to put pen to paper on a four-year contract.

The 23-year-old striker, who was due to fly back out to Tenerife to resume his vacation today, arrived in Derby on Sunday night for a tour of Pride Park Stadium and the surrounding area, with Rams midfielder Bryson, who he knows from his time north of the border, in the role of club ambassador.

“Craig has been brilliant,” said Russell. “I know him from playing against him and then we were in a Scotland squad together, and we stayed in touch after that.

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“He’s been texting me for a few weeks now, telling me what a great club this is.

“He told me that when he moved away from Scotland, he felt this was the right place for him, because of the size of the club, the football they played and where they wanted to go – back to the Premier League.

“He’s been really helpful. Anything I need to know or needed to ask, he answered it.

“He showed me around the place on Sunday night. It was good to see someone I knew and he really sold the club to me, so that’s credit to him.

“As well as giving me a tour of the ground, he took me around some of the surrounding areas, so I could get a feel for what it was like.

“Craig spoke very highly of all the lads at Derby and said they are a great bunch. I’m really looking forward to getting started now.”

Scottish champions Celtic were also linked with a move for Russell, who netted 20 goals for United last season, but it was Derby who made their move.

“I’d heard of their interest but Derby really pushed the boat out and showed me that they wanted me,” he said.

“So there was no doubt in my mind where I wanted to go.

“It’s been a few weeks since I first became aware of Derby’s interest.

“I always thought at some point, I would have to come back from holiday.

“I was delighted to do it in the end and I think I’m at a great club here.

“I’d been thinking about it all week but I wanted to see the place before I made a decision.

“The stadium and the facilities are quality and having spoken to the manager, the chairman and the coaching staff, they really sold me on it.

“There’s been nothing negative at all and that made it so much easier for me.”

Russell admitted it was tough to leave the club he had been with since the age of 13 but felt the time was right for a change.

“I’ve been there for 10 years and it is hard to move on,” said the former Scotland under-21 international.

“But I am here because of Dundee United. They gave me my chance and I am grateful to everyone there who made this possible for me.

“It’s a great club but I think this was the right time for me to move and I hope that it makes me a better player.”

Rams boss Nigel Clough was happy to have landed one of his top summer targets.

“We’re delighted to sign Johnny and his goalscoring exploits north of the border are something we’ve been aware of for some time,” he said. “He’s been prolific in the last few years and from what we’ve seen of him we believe he can transfer that form to the Championship.

“At 23, he is a player who’s only going to improve as well and we feel he’s the right type of player to complement the options and players we already have in attack.

“We’ve had some stiff competition from a number of clubs to get him here, so it’s nice to come out on top and convince him Derby County is the best place for him.

“Johnny is an ambitious and hungry player and he shares our desire to be fighting it out for a top six spot next season. We’re pleased to have him on board.”

37 comments

Jilly, brilliant you state the truth and the woolies don't like it, so they remove you. If only we could remove paula69, tuftie, and co as easy, well done for coming back strong, it hurts them even more, but the truth always hurts, well done.

Silly Jilly
your posts are now going from your usual childish rubbish to desperate?
open your window quick there is another straw for you to clutch at.
and your quote thanks for the memories! enjoy them thats all you will have ?
Billy Krankie will see to that

Jillycarol drops the line and the bottom feeders come a biting heh heh heh heh heh! Hope small paul has took note of derwentx's reference to him!
South Stand a tenner a game heh heh heh heh heh!
direby clownty the team that kicked out Brian Clough!....
Thanks for the memories! Thanks for the trophies Sir Brian!
Heh heh heh heh heh!
KEEP THE FAITH!

Its just very sad that supporters of another club would want to waste time trying to wind up fans of a rival club on their own message board. It just says so much about them that they can't enter into a serious debate amongst their own kin, something is lacking.

Jilly...
You really need to stop banging on about cheap tickets. We've already discussed florests poor showing in terms of the turnover of the midlands clubs, these cheap ticket/season ticket comments have been proved to be completely pointless and in your case as a florest fan laughable!!!!.... Please find something else to keep going on about... please....

His credentials in the scoring front look impressive, some will say well its only Scotland but once you know where the back of the net its there for life.
I have seen 7m paid by Liverpool for a player called aspas who doesn't look as good a buy as the Rams got.
Well Done Nige & Sam and all involved, Bargain!
I havn't heard such a buzz about a player for years.
Get In! :-)

Look at your list silly carol, especially your second point and still you can't beat us.
On another point silly carol we have also been the best team in history 1st Division/Premier League a darn sight more than than those from the ****** ground.